DIY for painting oem exhaust / muffler?

grantmax · 12-22-2013, 03:37 AM

As the title states, I'm looking for a DIY detailing the painting process for the OEM muffler / exhaust. Couldn't find one via search.

I would guess there is some sanding and application of a cleaning solution involved to ensure proper paint adherence but I'd rather not guess. Do it right, do it once.

Dave2 · 12-22-2013, 07:28 AM

All I did was was wash the rear section using a stiff nylon brush. I did not get obsessive with the wash, just went over the surface once or twice. Then used a spray can of high-temp flat black paint. Three years later the paint is still intact.

I also painted the brake hats. I cleaned these with an alcohol based cleaner.

grantmax · 12-30-2013, 01:12 AM

Looks good. Thanks for the info.

I'm going to do a little sanding and hit it with paint. Doesn't seem too difficult. Thin coats ftw.

gatorfast · 12-30-2013, 03:18 PM

When I did mine I simply wiped the exhaust down and sprayed with high temp paint. No fancy process needed.

W/// · 12-30-2013, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorfast

When I did mine I simply wiped the exhaust down and sprayed with high temp paint. No fancy process needed.

+1. No need to overthink. Quick wipe down, add couple of layers of paint

Billj747 · 12-30-2013, 08:09 PM

Did you remove the muffler to paint it?

Nordstat · 12-31-2013, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grantmax

As the title states, I'm looking for a DIY detailing the painting process for the OEM muffler / exhaust. Couldn't find one via search.

I would guess there is some sanding and application of a cleaning solution involved to ensure proper paint adherence but I'd rather not guess. Do it right, do it once.

Search again. I posted a thread with lots of pics about a year ago detailing the spray can method. Worked brilliantly. No idea where though...I'm on the mobile app.

dparm · 12-31-2013, 06:17 PM

Unbolt it, clean it off, lightly scuff it with sandpaper to promote adhesion, and apply several very light coats. You may want to add a few extra coats to the bottom since it is most likely to take impacts from road debris.

Seriously, don't make it more difficult than it needs to be. :-)

grantmax · 12-31-2013, 09:12 PM

Paint complete. The thing looks great. Semi-gloss was a good choice.

Now if only a muffler shop had been open after 3pm on NYE :-/

The waiting game continues.

Dave2 · 01-01-2014, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billj747

Did you remove the muffler to paint it?

No.

12-22-2013, 03:37 AM	#1
grantmax Lieutenant Colonel 142 Rep 1,637 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: LA iTrader: (1)	DIY for painting oem exhaust / muffler? As the title states, I'm looking for a DIY detailing the painting process for the OEM muffler / exhaust. Couldn't find one via search. I would guess there is some sanding and application of a cleaning solution involved to ensure proper paint adherence but I'd rather not guess. Do it right, do it once.
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12-22-2013, 07:28 AM	#2
Dave2 First Lieutenant 124 Rep 371 Posts Drives: '11 M3 Convertible Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	All I did was was wash the rear section using a stiff nylon brush. I did not get obsessive with the wash, just went over the surface once or twice. Then used a spray can of high-temp flat black paint. Three years later the paint is still intact. I also painted the brake hats. I cleaned these with an alcohol based cleaner. Attached Images __________________ '11 M3 Convertible \| Dinan Stage 2 suspension Last edited by Dave2; 01-01-2014 at 05:10 PM..
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12-30-2013, 01:12 AM	#3
grantmax Lieutenant Colonel 142 Rep 1,637 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: LA iTrader: (1)	Looks good. Thanks for the info. I'm going to do a little sanding and hit it with paint. Doesn't seem too difficult. Thin coats ftw.
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12-30-2013, 03:18 PM	#4
gatorfast Major General 4995 Rep 6,862 Posts Drives: 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SoFla iTrader: (4)	When I did mine I simply wiped the exhaust down and sprayed with high temp paint. No fancy process needed.
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12-30-2013, 08:09 PM	#6
Billj747 Captain 162 Rep 658 Posts Drives: Everything Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SoFlo iTrader: (0)	Did you remove the muffler to paint it?
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12-31-2013, 06:17 PM	#8
dparm Stop the hate, get a V8 3850 Rep 8,625 Posts Drives: C7 Corvette GS, AMG C63 S Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Frisco, TX iTrader: (1)	Unbolt it, clean it off, lightly scuff it with sandpaper to promote adhesion, and apply several very light coats. You may want to add a few extra coats to the bottom since it is most likely to take impacts from road debris. Seriously, don't make it more difficult than it needs to be. :-) __________________ Now: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, 2021 AMG C63 S sedan Past: 2011.5 M3 sedan ZCP
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12-31-2013, 09:12 PM	#9
grantmax Lieutenant Colonel 142 Rep 1,637 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: LA iTrader: (1)	Paint complete. The thing looks great. Semi-gloss was a good choice. Now if only a muffler shop had been open after 3pm on NYE :-/ The waiting game continues.
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